Renewables
Heda and Minils to host energy transition dialogue
A coalition of Nigerian organisations is convening a multi-stakeholder forum in Kwara State to address labour rights during the transition to clean energy.
Key points
- HEDA and MINILS are organising a dialogue in Ilorin from 3 to 5 November 2026.
- The event focuses on protecting fossil fuel workers and building union capacity.
- Discussions will involve the NLC, TUC, NEITI, and various government and private sector bodies.
New Telegraph reported that the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, operating alongside the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, will launch a strategic forum centred on labour welfare amidst shifting power sources.
What happened
According to an announcement released by Olanrewaju Suraju, who chairs HEDA, the gathering will take place in Ilorin, Kwara State. Running from 3 November to 5 November 2026, the programme focuses on empowering labour unions within the context of an equitable clean energy shift. The initiative intends to equip trade unions with adequate capabilities to engage in regulatory and policy dialogues. Suraju explained that while moving away from carbon-intensive fuels offers environmental benefits and economic diversification, it simultaneously introduces substantial vulnerabilities for personnel currently engaged in the petroleum sector. Risks highlighted include potential job terminations, skill obsolescence, and financial instability. Consequently, the organisers aim to integrate workforce protection mechanisms directly into national climate strategies to prevent widening socio-economic divides.
What comes next
Planned activities under this collaborative framework encompass targeted instructional workshops for union representatives covering climate science, worker entitlements, and policy frameworks. Furthermore, the schedule features structured policy roundtables bringing together state institutions, regulatory bodies, and civil society actors. Additional outputs will involve producing advocacy materials and engaging media platforms to elevate workforce perspectives, with particular attention directed toward industrial and oil-producing territories. Key participants will include the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, alongside private sector representatives. The project advocates for policies that guarantee retraining provisions, secure green employment alternatives, and provide robust safety nets for displaced individuals.
Why it matters
New Telegraph highlighted the intersection of decarbonisation and employment security in an economy heavily reliant on extractive revenues. World Bank figures indicate that fuel exports accounted for 85.9 percent of merchandise exports in 2025, contrasting sharply with a global average of 9.5 percent. This extreme reliance on hydrocarbons underscores the complex socio-economic restructuring required as Nigeria navigates global energy shifts. Furthermore, World Bank data shows that access to clean cooking stood at 28 percent in 2024, while only 62.5 percent of the population had access to electricity during the same year. For energy investors and policymakers, ensuring that the workforce is actively engaged rather than marginalised is critical for maintaining social license and political stability throughout the transition process.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
22.0% of electricity in Nigeria was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
